UFT - How you can make small classes a BIG priority

How you can make small classes a BIG priority

Join our coalition of parents, educators, clergy and civic leaders committed to making smaller classes the law in NYC.

TO: Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Chair – New Yorkers for Smaller Classes

FROM: A Concerned Citizen

SUBJECT: I want to help lower class sizes!

Yes! I believe that class size is the number one issue affecting our schools today and I want to do something about it. I think lowering class size will help raise student achievement, lower drop out rates, make schools safer and provide students with the individual attention they need.

I want to let the city know that it is unacceptable for our classes to be 10% to 60% larger than those in the rest of the state. I want the city to know that spending only 2 % of new state aid to reduce class size is unacceptable. I want the city to know that keeping the class size issue off the ballot is unacceptable.

I want the city to know that it is time to allow parents, educators and concerned citizens to vote on whether smaller classes should be the law in New York City public schools.

Please sign me up and let me know how I can help!

About This Campaign

Facts about class size:

NYC classes are too big

Average public school classes in the city are 10% to 60% larger than those in the rest of the state.
A March 2006 audit by the State Comptroller found that the city only managed to create 20 new classes last year even though it was provided with $90 million in state funds to reduce class size. This was 1,566 fewer classes than it was required to form under the law.

Smaller classes work

Research and experience from other states prove that smaller classes lead to higher student achievement, especially for low income, inner-city students.
Students in small classes benefit right through high school: they have better grades, lower drop-out rates, higher graduation rates, and are more likely to apply to college.
Lowering class sizes reduces disciplinary problems and enables children to get more individual attention.
Small classes make it easier for parents and teachers to work together